Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) reported extinguishing a fire that seriously injured a woman during the night at a residence in Miranda, located in Sydney's south. The emergency services were summoned around 1 a.m. to a home on Montgomery Street, where they discovered a woman with burns after her bedroom caught fire.
Before their arrival, the woman's partner had already begun administering first aid by placing her in a shower and running water over the burns to alleviate her discomfort.
FRNSW and Emergency Response
Upon arrival, FRNSW firefighters swiftly extinguished the smoldering mattress and bedding.
NSW Ambulance paramedics then provided medical care on-site before transporting the injured woman to the hospital for further treatment. Meanwhile, NSW Police detectives have commenced an investigation to uncover the fire's cause.
Potential Causes and Safety Warnings
Authorities are closely examining whether smoking near a supplemental oxygen cylinder may have ignited the fire. This is under serious consideration as a potential cause of the incident.
Speaking on the dangers, FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry highlighted the increased risk that smoking poses in oxygen-rich environments.
Open Flame Safety Precautions
"While oxygen isn't flammable, a cigarette burns quicker and more intensely in a room containing supplemental oxygen, and can spark a catastrophic explosion," stated Supt Dewberry. He emphasized the importance of avoiding smoking or using open flame appliances in rooms where medical-grade oxygen is present.
Dewberry commended the woman's partner for taking immediate action, noting, "The woman's partner did the right thing by immediately applying water to the burn areas until emergency services arrived."
